"DRUGS are not welcome in North East Lincolnshire."
That was the message to revellers from landlords and police this weekend, following raids on a total of 15 venues in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, in the latest phase of Operation Ferret.
More than 20 special constables, three officers and four police dogs took part in the Saturday night swoop, which saw nine bags of white powder – believed to be either cocaine or M-Cat – and what is believed to be a bag of cannabis recovered.
The majority of the suspected drugs were found dropped on the floors of seven venues, which cannot be named for legal reasons. However, while a warning was issued to one reveller for possession of cannabis, no further arrests were made.
Special Sergeant Simon Steel who organised the raids, which included searches at The Empire, The Coach House, The Imperial, Chambers and Parity as well as the Bank and Gypsy Tears, said the night was not about arrests.
He said: "We have not come out to arrest people. That is not our aim. We are here to disrupt drug dealers and users.
"We want to show we can turn up at any time in large numbers and catch you.
"Of course we meet a few people who dislike it but, in the main, we are supported and thanked by the public for our presence.
"We are not after the pubs, we are after the drugs. A reduction in drugs also reduces violence, as most problems are caused by the mixing of drink and drugs, which we want to stamp out."
And the operation, which also saw officers looking out for underage drinkers and stolen property, has been welcomed by customers and licensees alike.
Many said they felt safer knowing the police can turn up at any time in large numbers to catch out dealers and users.
The Empire's landlord Mike Smith said: "I'm all for it. I want to show drugs will not be tolerated in my pub.
"My priority is the safety of my customers and my staff. It's a surprise for dealers – it shows the police can turn up at any time.
"I want to stamp out drug incidents and let the 99 per cent of my customers be able to enjoy a friendly drug-free atmosphere."
Ken Stone, licensing officer for Humberside Police, added: "We are getting a strong positive reaction from the public.
"We are going out to clubs and pubs at the request of licensees who want to show a no tolerance approach to drug use, as well as targeting specific locations based on intelligence.
"We want to show that if you are using or dealing we can come at any time and you will be caught."
